Sponsor of the Month: Piece By Piece Center

BY MARIA SMIETANA

Piece by Piece Autism Center has grown quickly since Meg Mitchell and her partners opened the first location in 2019. “We are a small, familyowned business that is local and has a heart for bringing quality services to rural communities [and smaller cities],” Meg said. “We now have seven clinics in seven different towns — Lafayette, Ft. Wayne, Lebanon, Monticello, Frankfort, Cloverdale and Crawfordsville.”

Meg grew up in West Lafayette and received her Master’s degree in ABA and BCBA. She worked in other autism clinics before starting Piece by Piece. She has resided in Zionsville since 2016.

Unlike many other clinics, Piece by Piece is not owned and operated by an out-of-town hedge fund. The owners of Piece by Piece are Indiana natives who believe that families and children living in suburban and rural areas deserve access to the same highquality therapy services found in larger cities.

We believe every child is unique and special just the way they are and that every child is a piece to our puzzle — our family here at Piece by Piece. Piece by Piece uses applied behavior analysis techniques to teach children with autism and other disabilities fundamental skills and socially significant behaviors that equip them to gain independence. Social skills, interpersonal skills, verbal communication, daily living skills, and fine/gross motor skills are learned through one-to-one teaching techniques using ABA therapists across settings such as school, home, community, and clinic. We are here to be a tool and resource to the families of children with autism and to determine the best treatment package for your child.

ABA therapy focuses on increasing socially significant behaviors such as activities of daily living, communication, leisure, and social skills while decreasing maladaptive behavior such as tantrums, verbal refusal, physical aggression, property destruction, and/or self-injury. Each child is assigned a morning therapist and an afternoon therapist who works one-on-one to reach their individual goals. We work on developing skills such as potty training, feeding, academics, functional communication, social skills, and daily living skills to help transition children to lesser intrusive environments.

All therapists employed by Piece by Piece receive their Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) credential within their first 90 days. RBTs are supervised by Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs), masters level clinicians responsible for creating individual treatment and behavior intervention plans for the clients they oversee.

Studies have shown that full-time, intensive treatment programs typically provide the greatest benefit; however, we do offer part-time services if that is what is best for your child!

Behavioral services provide the extra support needed to improve overall life quality and maximize one’s potential. Behavioral Therapists provide individuals with skills and training to help achieve their goals within their homes, workplaces, and communities.

Meg believes in giving back to the community. She and her family support Traders Point Christian Church, Horizon International, and National Relief Network.

They also sponsor children in Nicaragua and Africa.

Piece by Piece gives back to all the communities in which they operate, whether that’s helping with food drives, adopting families at Christmas, donating to local Boys and Girls Clubs, or helping out the schools.

BUSINESS CONTACT INFORMATION www.Piecebypiececenter.com

Meg Mitchell

mmitchell@piecebypiececenter.com